INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Industrial Revolution

Industrial Revolution

Question:

According to the Factory Rules in Berlin (1844), how would you describe a typical day of a worker employed there?

Answer:

A typical day at any Berlin factory starts with walking up a very narrow staircase to 9th or 8th floor. The floor of the factory is as usual jam packed with 100s of workers, everyone waiting in a single queue to punch the time clock for marking the day attendance. All the workers keep on praying that the line end up quickly as they know that according to the rules even five minute late attendance would result into a half day fine for them that they could never afford. Every worker was supposed to punch in the time clock before 6 a.m. precisely, and 5 minutes before 6 a.m. a bell used to rang to indicate to the workers that they have to proceed to the work place within minutes now. Every day for a worker is a race against time. As soon as the clock strikes 6 a.m. the doors of the factory are closed punctually. If any worker missed the time they are supposed to start their work when the door gets opened for the next break and it results as a deduction from their salary too and if this is repeated then it results into dismissal. These rules were applicable to all the workers, let them be workers for the time or paid by the number of pieces they are making.

Then the workers settle down to their workplaces and start their jobs which have been assigned by the sub contractor on daily basis, according to the load requirements and the orders placed by the customers of the factory. The workers cannot leave the workplace once they start working until and unless the bell rings for the break. A few workers avail the time for breakfast that is half an hour and the time for the breakfast was already defined i.e. 8.30 a.m., those who don't wish to have breakfast are allowed to stay engaged with their work. As soon as the break ends for the breakfast the bell rings and the workers are supposed to take their places before the bell stops ringing. Once the work starts workers are not supposed to eat anything, nor they can leave their assigned workplaces, if they want to wash hands or face they were allowed ...